Bathtubs Much Deadlier Than They Appear To Be

July 28, 1985|By Ronald Kotulak, Chicago Tribune

Someone drowns in a bathtub each day, on average, according to a study that indicates tub drownings may be more prevalent than first thought.

The study, conducted by Dr. Lawrence Budnick and David Ross of the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, found that the number of Americans who drown in bathtubs is 86 percent higher than the figure reported in 1977 and 250 percent higher than the 100 drownings reported in 1971.

The greatest number of drownings occurred during the spring months, and seven states accounted for half the deaths. They are Illinois, Michigan, California, Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania.

The study found that 710 people drowned in 1979 and 1980, providing a death rate of 1.6 drownings per 1 million people per year.

Those at highest risk of drowning in bathtubs are children under age 5, who accounted for 25.6 percent of the drownings; and people 75 or older, who accounted for 14.5 percent of the drownings.

The study also uncovered a number of factors that increase the risk of drowning in a bathtub.

For children under 5 it was not much of a surprise: The biggest risk factor was being left unattended in a tub. Sixteen percent of the children drowned while unattended. In other cases, children were left in charge of toddlers in tubs.

The biggest surprise was the finding that people with a seizure disorder were at high risk. They made up almost 16 percent of all drowning victims. In the 10-to-39 age group, people with seizure disorders accounted for 43 percent of the drownings.

People with epilepsy or other seizure disorders should consider taking a shower instead of a bath, Budnick said. They also should use handheld, manually controlled showering devices and avoid breakable glass or plastic- enclosed shower stalls, he said. In addition, young and elderly epileptics should not shower or bathe alone.

Falling in a tub was the third-biggest risk, especially for people 60 or older, Budnick said. They accounted for 14 percent of the drowning victims.